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Eben Etzebeth to continue as stand-in South Africa captain

Tuesday 15 August 2017 15:08, UK

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 27: Eben Etzebeth (vice-captain) of the DHL Stormers during the Super Rugby match between Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers at Grow
Image: Eben Etzebeth will lead South Africa into the 2017 Rugby Championship as skipper

Eben Etzebeth will continue as South Africa's stand-in captain for the upcoming Rugby Championship as Warren Whiteley will be out for a further six weeks, South African Rugby confirmed on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old lock had already replaced Whiteley as skipper for the last of the three tests against France in June when the loose forward was ruled out of action with a groin injury.

ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 19: Warren Whiteley of South Africa in action during the international match between Italy v South Africa at Stadio Olimpico on Nove
Image: Permanent Springbok captain Warren Whiteley is likely to miss almost the entire championship with a groin issue

Whiteley is not likely to be back before the end of September, which means Etzebeth could be captain for at least five of the six Springbok fixtures in this year's southern hemisphere championship.

TOPSHOT - Eben Etzebeth of South Africa (R) is tackled by Jefferson Poirot of France (L) during the International test match between South Africa and Franc
Image: Etzebeth was captain of the Springboks during their final Test with France in the summer

"Eben did an excellent job against France in Johannesburg, when he had to step in at short notice after the late withdrawal of Warren," Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said in a statement.

"He enjoys the respect of his team-mates and also commands respect on and off the field.

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Allister Coetzee, the South Africa Springbok coach looks on during the international match between Italy v South Africa at Stadium
Image: Allister Coetzee confirmed the news via a statement on Wednesday

"He is well supported by our strong leadership group which consists of Siya (Kolisi)‚ Tendai Mtawarira and Elton Jantjies."

Etzebeth debuted for the Springboks aged 20 in 2012 and has gone on to win a total of 57 international Test caps.

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Siya Kolisi of South Africa scores a try during the International test match between South Africa and France at the Kingspark rugby stadium on June 17, 201
Image: Flanker Siya Kolisi has been confirmed as vice-captain

Back row forward Siya Kolisi has also been named vice-captain ahead of South Africa's first fixture against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on August 19.

South Africa play Argentina away on August 26 in Salta in their second game in the Rugby Championship and then travel to Australia and New Zealand for Tests in Perth on September 9 and Auckland on September 16.

Their last two matches are home to Australia in Bloemfontein on September 30 and New Zealand in Cape Town on October 7.

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